Page 21 - DMN1Q22

manner to other ED visits is especially compelling, suggesting an increase in OD burden during the pandemic. Opioid ODs in particular exhibited the
most consistent increases in counts.” The most startling figure was that “weekly counts of all drug and opioid ODs ranged from 1% to 45% higher in 2020 compared with the same week in 2019.” (Trends in US Emergency Department Visits for Mental Health, Overdose, and Violence Outcomes Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Psychiatry and Behavioral Health | JAMA Psychiatry | JAMA Network)
Obesity:
The CDC reported on Sept. 17, 2021 that “Overall, the monthly rate of BMI increase nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared with that during the prepandemic period... Similarly, the rate of change in the proportion of persons with obesity was 5.3 times as
high during the pandemic.” This is a special problem for children who were
overweight in the first place, the CDC report continued: “Persons aged 2–19 years with moderate or severe obesity before
the pandemic experienced significantly higher rates of increase in BMI, which translates to weight gain, compared with those with prepandemic healthy weight. During March–November 2020, persons with moderate or severe obesity gained
on average 1.0 and 1.2 pounds per month,
respectively.” (Longitudinal Trends in
Body Mass Index Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Persons Aged 2–19 Years — United States, 2018–2020 | MMWR (cdc.gov))
All these parameters not only have a profound effect on well-being, but they clearly affect mortality. They also are
exacerbated by keeping children out of school, isolated from their friends, unable
to learn at home on Zoom, and unable to engage in the normal physical activities of gym,
sports, and play with their peers. This is not even get into the social problems, such as the children from underprivileged backgrounds who depend on luncheon meals in school to supplement their nutrition. Even more ominous, we need to worry about the children
First Quarter 2022
who, lacking the adult guidance of teachers, turn to violence on the streets and elsewhere.
Yes, Covid is perilous for children, not as much as
for adults, but still problematic. Nevertheless, USA Today reported on October 8, 2021 that in the whole Covid epidemic so far, fewer than 700 children had died. (COVID-19 in kids: latest data on cases, deaths and hospitalizations (usatoday.com) Looking for comparable mortality data, I have not been able to find a reliable number of childhood deaths from suicide and overdoses during this time, but, given the numbers above, it is very likely that their total greatly exceeds the number of deaths from the virus alone. Beyond that, to calculate the total number of deaths due to Covid, we would have to add in the medical conditions neglected, cancers not treated, and other medical side-effects of the epidemic, but that is a separate article.
In short, keeping kids in school because of Covid clearly is a medical issue, and doctors can play an important role in opposing further attempts to
keep children out of school. Among other things, we can emphasize the importance of masks, social distancing, and the use of air purification. Surely, we owe this to our young patients.
Elite Medical Billing Specialists ............................. 24 Health Law Partners .....................Inside Back Cover Lake Michigan Credit Union.................................... 7 Professional Solutions ............................................... 9 Regional Medical Imaging......... Inside Front Cover Start my Wellness..................................................... 25 Varnum Attorneys at Law....................................... 19 Wachler Associates .................................................. 13
Please consider the companies and organizations that support us when you are in need of these services.
Advertiser Index
Detroit Medical News 21